Let’s face it….
Green cleaning is the way to go these days. Green cleaning products are less toxic and much safer for our families and our environment.
Making your own green household cleaners is easier than you think. The ingredients are cheaper and most of them may already be sitting right in your cabinets at home:
White vinegar is an anti-fungal that also kills germs and bacteria.
Baking soda eliminates odors and works as a gentle scouring powder.
Borax eliminates odors, removes dirt, and acts as an anti-fungal and possible disinfectant.
Hydrogen peroxide is a great non-toxic bleach and stain remover. It is also a proven disinfectant.
Club soda can be used as a stain remover and polisher.
Lemon juice is a bleach alternative that cuts grease and removes stains.
Liquid Castile soap works as an all-purpose cleaner, grease-cutter, and disinfectant.
Corn meal works great on carpet spills.
Olive oil can be used to polish furniture.
Here are great recipes to get you started…
All-purpose cleaner: Pour two tablespoons white vinegar and one teaspoon borax into a spray bottle. Add warm water and shake to mix. Then add 1/4 cup of liquid Castile soap.
To clean hardwood floors, combine 1/4 liquid Castile soap, 1/2 cup white vinegar or lemon juice, and 2 gallons of warm water in a large bucket. Use a microfiber mop or cloth for cleaning.
To clean and disinfect carpets, mix together 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup borax, and 1 cup cornmeal. Sprinkle mixture over rug and rub with a microfiber cloth. Let sit overnight. Vacuum the next day. To remove tough carpet stains, mix 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap and 1/3 cup water together in a blender until foamy. Spread the mixture on the carpet and let it sit for five minutes. Scrub stain with a microfiber cloth. For larger stains, pour cornmeal on the spill, wait 15 minutes, then vacuum.
To clean windows, just add club soda to a spray bottle and spray. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth or terry cloth rag. For tough windows spots, add 1 teaspoon lemon to the club soda.
To clean the bathroom, try using the all-purpose cleaner (stated above). For plumbing fixtures, clean with club soda. For a mild scrub, use borax or baking soda combined with liquid soap. To clean the toilet, sprinkle baking soda or borax, or pour white vinegar into the toilet. Let sit for about ten minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush.
To clean the oven, cover the oven floor with baking soda, spray with water until very damp, and let set overnight. Make sure baking soda stays damp overnight by spraying water on it every few hours. In the morning, rinse and wipe.
To remove mold, combine 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar with 1 cup water. Spray on mold, do not rinse. Mold can also be treated by spraying a mixture of 2 teaspoons tea tree oil and 2 cups water.
To polish wood furniture, dab olive oil onto a microfiber cloth and rub.
